IOC chief Coventry hails Beijing's Olympic legacy

25 years after Beijing won the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said the city's successful bids for both the 2008 Games and the 2022 Winter Olympics marked the beginning of an extraordinary Olympic journey for China.

In a recently published article marking the anniversary, Coventry praised the lasting legacy of both Games, saying they created greater opportunities, increased participation and strengthened the role of sport in people's lives.

Coventry described Beijing 2008 as one of the defining moments of her athletic career. She won one gold medal and three silvers in swimming at Beijing's National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube.

"I will always remember the feeling of those Games: the energy of the city, the pride of the people, the colour and creativity of the opening ceremony, and the sense that the whole world had come together in one place," she wrote.

Coventry said Beijing 2008 also helped transform the city through investments in transport, public spaces and other infrastructure that continue to benefit residents. She added that the Games inspired more people to take up sport, helping foster a broader sporting culture in China.

Returning to Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics as an IOC member, Coventry said she was struck by how Olympic venues had been repurposed. The Water Cube was transformed into the Ice Cube for curling, while the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, again hosted the opening and closing ceremonies.

She also highlighted the use of existing venues, renewable energy and low-carbon technologies during Beijing 2022. The Winter Games also accelerated the development of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, significantly reducing travel times between the two areas.

"Those Games brought winter sport to more than 350 million people across China. Yanqing and Zhangjiakou have become hubs for winter sports events and training, with facilities that serve the public and local athletes alike," Coventry wrote. "This is creating new opportunities and real social and economic benefits for local communities."

"The real legacy of an Olympic Games is never only about what remains after the flame goes out. It is about what the Games make possible afterwards," she added.

Coventry also reflected on her visit to China for the National Games in November last year, where events were held across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

She said she was impressed by the scale and energy of the Games, as well as the pride people take in sport and the enthusiasm for physical activity among participants of all ages.

"It helps young people build confidence and learn important values. It supports healthier communities. It creates belonging. And it gives people hope and ambition," Coventry wrote. "Even when we come from different cultures and backgrounds, we can still share moments of joy, respect and admiration."

"The best Olympic legacy is not simply what is left behind when the Games end. It is what carries on: in people's lives, in communities and in the generations still to come," she added.